Artifical intelligence use in orthopedics: an ethical point of view

Abstract

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) began during the second half of the 20th century. The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was coined in 1955 by John McCarthy, a computer and cognitive scientist, and his associates (1). They proposed that if certain aspects of human intelligence, such as learning, abstraction, language, and problem-solving could be described in an accurate and detailed way, it would be possible for a machine to simulate these human capabilities. Today, the evolution in machine learning (ML) has reached a level of sophistication that enables machines to gather data, learn, analyze a process, define a problem, and come up with a solution. These capabilities have resulted in various degrees of defining AI and its associated terms (see Table 1). In recent years, AI has infiltrated every aspect of life, including medicine. In the medical arena, AI typically occurs in the form of either algorithms or robotic technologies. The ability to gather, analyze, and store big data has resulted in the creation of algorithms for calculating specific risks, expected patient satisfaction, and even the expected success rate for procedures or medications. Additionally, in orthopedics and other disciplines, evolving robotic technology has reached a state that could allow a surgeon, at least hypothetically, to remotely operate on patients. With the ability to assist in decision-making processes, increase surgical precision, and minimize the time spent on certain aspects of surgery, such as the use of endoscopic knot-tying robots, for example, AI and robotic technology have earned a permanent seat in the operating theater.

Keywords

• artificial intelligence
• machine learning
• deep learning
• orthopedics
• ethics